Azalea plant named &#39;MNIHAR022&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of azalea plant with spring blooming, attractive, showy, single light pink with red border flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions, compact broadly globose and freely branching in habit, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy in Zone 6, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rhododendron sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MNIHAR022’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen azalea of the genus Rhododendron. This new azalea, hereinafter referred to as ‘MNIHAR022’, originated from a planned cross hybridization between the female azalea plant ‘Fascination’ (unpatented) and the male azalea plant ‘Midnight Flare’ (unpatented) in a controlled environment in Lawrenceville, Ga. in 2004. The present invention has a blooming period in April, a compact, broadly globose growth habit, and cold hardiness.

The new plant was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2005 in Dearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by semi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over 5 years and four generations. ‘MNIHAR022’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via semi-hardwood cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘MNIHAR022’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Dearing, Ga.

1. .Spring flowers;

2. Attractive, showy, light pink with red border flowers;

3. Numerous single flowers;

4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer;

5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions;

6. Compact, broadly globose growth habit;

7. Grows well in containers;

8. Thrives in shade or sun; and

9. Hardy in Zone 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new azalea variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic means. The photographs are of five-year-old plants grown in filtered shade and full sun in 2010 and 2011 in Dearing, Ga.

FIG. 1 is a close-up showing mature and immature foliage.

FIG. 2 shows mature foliage and growth habit of a five year old plant.

FIG. 3 is a close-up showing flower buds.

FIG. 4 is a close-up showing flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of azalea based on observations made of five year old plants grown in ground in a part shade trial planting and three-year-old plants grown in trade and three-gallon containers according to wholesale commercial production conditions, under full-sun and in an evaluation bed under semi-shade conditions in Dearing, Ga. in the spring, summer, and fall seasons of 2009, 2010, and 2011. The colors of the various plant parts are detailed with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001).

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Ericaceae.         -   Species.—Rhododendron sp.         -   Common name.—Azalea.         -   Denomination.—‘MNIHAR022’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The azalea plant ‘Fascination’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The azalea plant ‘Midnight Flare’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Compact, dense, broadly globose.         -   Texture.—Medium.         -   Height.—60.96 cm to 91.44 cm.         -   Width.—91.44 cm to 121.92 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Freely branching; broadly globose and compact             in nature.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization             and moisture conditions. In a period of 5 years from a             rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 28.0 cm and a             spread of 60.0 cm. The growth rate is normally averages             about 8.7 cm per year; the plant reaches a height of 60.96             cm to 91.44 cm at maturity while maintaining an compact,             dense habit due to the abundant branch development.         -   Spring growth.—The date of initial spring growth is March             15, followed by continuous growth through fall.         -   Life cycle.—Perennial and evergreen. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, pubescent, and evergreen.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate to elliptic.         -   Apex.—Mucronate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Length.—4.2 cm.         -   Width.—1.8 cm.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; the mid-veins and laterals are             impressed on the upper surface and the prominent on the             lower surface.         -   Immature leaf upper surface.—Color: Semi-glossy, RHS 146A             (yellow-green) to RHS 144A (yellow-green) Pubescence:             lightly strigose Pubescence color: RHS N155A (white) to RHS             164B (greyed-orange).         -   Immature leaf lower surface.—Color: Semi-glossy, RHS 144A             (yellow-green) to RHS 146B (yellow-green) Pubescence:             Strigose along the veins Pubescence color: RHS N155A (white)             to RHS 164B (greyed-orange) Mature leaf upper surface:             Color: Glossy to Semi-glossy, RHS 139A (green) Pubescence:             Small amount of strigose Pubescence color: RHS 155C (white).         -   Mature leaf lower surface.—Color: Semi-glossy, RHS 147B             (yellow-green) Pubescence: Small amount of strigose             Pubescence color: RHS 164B (greyed-orange).         -   Petiole.—Length: 0.4 cm Diameter: 0.125 cm by 0.1 cm             Pubescence: Strigose Length: 0.1 cm Color: Immature: RHS             N155D (white) Mature: RHS 166A (greyed-orange).         -   Color.—Immature: RHS 144B (yellow-green) Mature: RHS 146A             (yellow-green). -   Stems:     -   -   Form.—Branched at terminal buds and from some auxiliary buds             at leaf nodes.         -   Young stems (Actively growing, less than one year             old).—Color: RHS 184A (greyed-purple), RHS 144A             (yellow-green) maturing to RHS 165B (greyed-orange)             Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: Begins RHS N155D             (white) maturing to RHS 165B (greyed-orange) Length of fully             elongated flush: 4.0 cm on average Diameter: 0.15 cm.         -   Mature stems (one year old and older).—Color: RHS N199B             (grey-brown) Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: RHS 200A             (brown) Length: 6.0 cm on average for a full year's growth             Diameter: 0.25 cm in second year Pith: Solid and uniform             Internode length: 0.65 cm. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Arrangement and form.—At terminal; borne in groups of one,             two or three flowers per bud with one or two buds per             terminal, buds sheathed by one or two modified leaf bracts.         -   Bracts.—Length: Average 1.6 cm Width: 0.4 cm Color: Lower             surface RHS 147B (yellow-green) and upper surface RHS 139A             (green).         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Length (at tight bud).—1.0 cm.         -   Diameter (at tight bud).—0.6 cm.         -   Color (of scales).—Immature: RHS 145B (yellow-green) Mature:             RHS 144A (yellow-green) with areas of RHS N34A (orange-red).         -   Texture.—Matte; strigose pubescence.         -   Pubescence color.—RHS 165B (greyed-orange).         -   Pedicel.—Length: 0.6 cm at point bud begins to open             Diameter: 0.2 cm Texture: Pubescent, strigose and pilose             pubescence Pubescence color: RHS 164D (greyed-orange).         -   Color.—RHS 145A (yellow-green) maturing to RHS N34A             (orange-red). -   Calyx:     -   -   Calyx diameter.—0.9 cm.         -   Sepal length.—0.3 cm.         -   Sepal width.—0.3 cm.         -   Sepal quantity.—5.         -   Texture.—Pubescent, sericeous and villous pubescence mainly             along the margin Pubescence color: RHS N155A (white).         -   Color.—RHS 144A (yellow-green). -   Flowers:     -   -   Type.—Perfect, Single flowers.         -   Shape.—Open funnel-shaped.         -   Flowering habit and period.—Borne on the previous season's             growth; two to three weeks beginning in early April in             Dearing, Ga.         -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—4 to 5 days in the sun;             4 to 6 days in the shade.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Diameter.—8.5 cm.         -   Depth.—3.0 cm.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Five imbricate             petals that are fused at the base and remain fused up to 2.0             cm from the base Shape: Obovate Apex: Rounded Base: Fused             Margin: Entire, slightly wavy Texture (both upper and lower             surfaces): Glabrous Length (of petals without spots): 5.2 cm             Width (of petals without spots): 3.3 cm Color: Upper             surface: One half of petal on apex end RHS 45A (red) with             RHS 46A (red) spots, one half of petal nearest the center of             the flower RHS 56A (red) with RHS 34C (orange-red) spots             Lower surface: One half of petal on apex end RHS 45A (red),             one half of petal nearest the center of the flower RHS 56A             (red). Spots are not visible on the lower surface. -   Reproductive parts:     -   -   Pistil.—Quantity and form: Single, non-petaloid Length: 4.2             cm Diameter: 0.075 cm.         -   Stigma.—Color: RHS 187C (greyed-purple) Diameter: 0.125 cm.         -   Style color.—RHS 53A (red).         -   Ovary.—Pubescent, pilose with 5 locules Color: RHS N155A             (white).         -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5 per flower; non-petaloid Filament             length: 4.1 cm Filament width: 0.05 cm Color: RHS 65B             (red-purple).         -   Anther.—Length: 0.25 cm Width: 0.075 cm Color: RHS N77A             (purple) Pollen: Abundant Color: RHS 155B (white). -   Fruit and seed: Observed     -   -   Maturity.—The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing,             Ga. and the fruit set is low and contains about 100 to 150             non-winged seeds.         -   Capsule length.—1.0 cm.         -   Capsule width.—0.5 cm.         -   Capsule color.—RHS 146A (yellow-green).

CULTURE

‘MNIHAR022’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sun to shade. ‘MNIHAR022’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications of fertilizer. ‘MNIHAR022’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and is propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer. Azaleas root in five to six weeks with a high percentage of rooting (80% plus). Tissue culture is also an effective means of propagation for azaleas.

DISEASES AND INSECTS

Susceptible to lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites. Fungal and bacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testing has been performed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

In Table 1, ‘MNIHAR022’ is compared to parental varieties ‘Fascination’ (unpatented) and ‘Midnight Flare’ (unpatented).

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MNIHAR022’ ‘Fascination’ ‘Midnight Flare’ Plant Height 60.96 cm to 91.44 cm 106.68 cm 106.68 cm (Mature) Flower Diameter 8.5 cm  11.43 cm  7.62 cm Flower Form Single Single Single Flower Color Light pink with Light pink with Deep red red border red border Bloom Period April Mid-April to April Late April Hardy Zone 6 6 6 Stamen Number 5 5 5 Stamen Type Non-petaloid Non-petaloid Non-petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR022’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR022’ has an compact, broadly globose growth habit with a height of 28.0 cm and a spread of 60.0 cm in 5 years, while ‘Roblen’ has a height of 91.44 cm and a spread of 60.96 cm in six years. Additionally, ‘MNIHAR022’ produces light pink with red border flowers, while ‘Roblen’ has bright red flowers. 

I claim:
 1. A new variety of azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR022’ as herein shown and described. 